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Thailand and Laos (and Myanmar if I can manage it)

Hello, Sawatdee kaa and Sabai dee,

My next trip will be Thailand and Laos, and this is all about the before, the trip and the after - similar to my Malaysia/Cambodia blog. I am putting together from start to finish - tickets, do's and don'ts, tours, where to stay, places to see, things to do, as well as useful extras like transport, good places to eat, what to wear, climate, tourist traps, tricks and tips and whatever else I can think of that will be useful.

If you have any tips or advice, please, feel free to leave a comment and add your bit - whatever you think may be helpful or interesting.Cheers.

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Sunday, July 25, 2010

Suvarnabhumi Airport is Bangkok's new airport. For those travellers who are going to Thailand for the first time, it can be bewildering getting from the airport to your hotel or guesthouse or next destination, so I have put together this information in the hope it will make your time a little easier and less confusing.

As you will see below, it is fairly easy to go from the airport by public transport. Included too are a few little tips on dealing with taxis and drivers that I have gleaned from others more familiar with Thailand.

Getting a taxi from the airport:
On floor 1 (not far from the Airport Express kiosk) is the Magic Food Court, the cheapest place to eat at the airport or so I've been told.
Look for a blue colored podium style desk, there is a picture of a taxi on it which says "Public Taxi." The desk clerk will ask you where you are going, tell the driver in Thai, write that destination down on a receipt.

Keep the receipt!
The receipt tells you how to complain about a bad driver, etc. You pay the surcharge of 50 baht and meter fare at the destination (hotel/guesthouse or bus station.) You pay any tolls during the ride. Have small notes and change available, the driver can't change a 500 baht note! (Some drivers claim to not have any change anyway, in the hope tourists will say "keep the change!") Meter starts at 35 baht, make sure that nothing is blocking the meter.

Keep your bag with you on the back seat - if you have to hop out quickly you won't have to wait to get your bag out of the boot! It's quite normal for the driver to ask for toll money during the ride. Prices are clearly posted. Meter taxi desk clerks are supposed to verify that the taxis are safe and record the serial numbers of the taxis.

Take his photo:
For females taking a taxi alone, for added security you can use your mobile phone to photograph the taxi and driver and then have the photo sent to a friend. If the driver sees you photographing his taxi and face he knows that his photo will be on TV or in the newspapers if he does something wrong. Or, you can just fake it by pretending to take a photo of the chap, etc.

Anytime you bargain the taxi fare in Bangkok you pay more! Meter charges are cheaper and fair. No need to tip a lot either! If you want to round off the fare and get rid of some coins go ahead but is not necessary. (These tips are from people living in Bangkok.)